Fragile Web: What Next for Nature?

Jonathan Silvertown

ISBN 10: 0565092618 / ISBN 13: 9780565092610

Published by The Natural History Museum, 2010

About this Item

"Fragile Web" is a remarkable exploration of the past, present and future of nature's remarkable diversity and how humans will impact upon its uncertain future. Written by a team of international experts, the book is divided into three main sections. The first section explores the origins of biodiversity and the evolution of life on Earth, from 3.5 billion years ago to the present day. It explains how species are formed, including the complex role of genetics, and how diversity hotspots such as the Amazonia region and Sahara desert have developed. The second section examines ecology and how human activities can foster rather than threaten biodiversity. It explains the importance of the world's ecosystems and how they function, and suggests how we can enjoy and appreciate nature to the full. In the final section, Fate, the book discusses the major threats to our natural world, both now and in the future, and considers possible solutions. Fully illustrated with photographs diagrams and maps, "Fragile Web" provides a timely snapshot of the state of life on Earth and considers what may be next for our natural world.

Seller Inventory # 0068725

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Fragile Web: What Next for Nature?
• Publisher: The Natural History Museum
• Publication Date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0565092618
• ISBN 13: 9780565092610
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

In Fragile Web a team of international experts explore the biodiversity of the natural world. Drawing on the very latest science, they explain what biodiversity is, how it has evolved and how directly or indirectly humans are responsible for the fate of nature. Today, a quarter of mammals are threatened with extinction, all major ocean fisheries are over-exploited, and life in freshwater is threatened by pollution and over-extraction of water for human use. Written for the general reader with no science background, Fragile Web investigates what can be done to protect nature's remarkable diversity and why it matters to everyone. Published to tie in with the United Nation's 2010 International Year of Biodiversity, Fragile Web provides a timely insight into the state of life on Earth and warns how ignoring the current crisis for biodiversity could fundamentally change the lives of future generations. It is fully illustrated with colour photographs, diagrams and maps throughout.

About the Author

The book is a collaboration by experts at The Open University. Editor and contributor Jonathan Silvertown is an evolutionary biologist in the Department of Life Sciences and is internationally known for his research on the evolution and ecology of plants.